Miami's King

Somewhere in my heart I feel sorry for U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez. He is a good man and was never a true right-wing, nut-case Republican.

[Peppermint Patti]

In what turned out to be Martinez’s first national television appearance, the right-wing Christian nutcases poured into Florida to fight against pulling the plug on Terri Schiavo, the brain-dead but mechanically alive woman who became a cause célèbre for the right wing.

A Republican operative came up to Martinez, slipped a card into his pocket, and told him to read the prepared text to the media. Martinez, being the newest foot soldier in the Republican army, dutifully read a statement supporting and endorsing all the right-wing diatribes. Halfway through his comments, you could see his face change, and by the end he was running for cover. I think he had just realized that he’d become the newest Republican Party cabana boy.

It didn’t get any better. The Republican Party, unsure of where he stood, didn’t trust him. The Democrats didn’t really know him. So over the next five years, he suffered with very bad committee appointments and almost no national exposure.

An interesting point of view.

I wonder?

[hornback12]

Peppermint Patti wrote:

In what turned out to be Martinez’s first national television appearance, the right-wing Christian nutcases poured into Florida to fight against pulling the plug on Terri Schiavo, the brain-dead but mechanically alive woman who became a cause célèbre for the right wing.
A Republican operative came up to Martinez, slipped a card into his pocket, and told him to read the prepared text to the media. Martinez, being the newest foot soldier in the Republican army, dutifully read a statement supporting and endorsing all the right-wing diatribes. Halfway through his comments, you could see his face change, and by the end he was running for cover. I think he had just realized that he’d become the newest Republican Party cabana boy.
It didn’t get any better. The Republican Party, unsure of where he stood, didn’t trust him. The Democrats didn’t really know him. So over the next five years, he suffered with very bad committee appointments and almost no national exposure.
An interesting point of view.
I wonder?

you can lead a conservative to water but you can't make him think

[Boohil]

Mel Martinez was the "Orange County Chairman" (like a mayor, and that's what the position is called now) before he was appointed HUD secretary in Bush II's cabinet. While we weren't living here then, my parents were. Their opinion was that, while Martinez is certainly an affable guy, he was not a successful Orange County Chairman. Based on his record of non-accomplishment and non-leadership in that position, they supported Betty Castor (Martinez' opponent) in the 2004 U.S. Senate race.

As nearly as I can tell, Martinez' Senate record is yet another one of non-accomplishment and non-leadership. He was certainly used as a dupe by the Republican leadership...but what is most telling to me is that it wasn't the first time in his political history that he was the fool and dupe to someone else's agenda.

I think he was simply in over his head, and it's a shame. I cannot help but wonder how some things might have turned out differently for Florida had we had a strong senator instead of Martinez, who was marginalized almost from the beginning of his senate term.

[hornback12]

Boohil wrote:

Mel Martinez was the "Orange County Chairman" (like a mayor, and that's what the position is called now) before he was appointed HUD secretary in Bush II's cabinet. While we weren't living here then, my parents were. Their opinion was that, while Martinez is certainly an affable guy, he was not a successful Orange County Chairman. Based on his record of non-accomplishment and non-leadership in that position, they supported Betty Castor (Martinez' opponent) in the 2004 U.S. Senate race.
As nearly as I can tell, Martinez' Senate record is yet another one of non-accomplishment and non-leadership. He was certainly used as a dupe by the Republican leadership...but what is most telling to me is that it wasn't the first time in his political history that he was the fool and dupe to someone else's agenda.
I think he was simply in over his head, and it's a shame. I cannot help but wonder how some things might have turned out differently for Florida had we had a strong senator instead of Martinez, who was marginalized almost from the beginning of his senate term.

boo are you there?

[Boohil]

hornback12 wrote:

<quoted text>boo are you there?

Am I where? In Orlando?...yes. On the board?...yes, we just got back from a neighbor's Florida football party and cookout. I'll be on and off the board for a few hours, probably.

[hornback12]

Boohil wrote:

<quoted text>
Am I where? In Orlando?...yes. On the board?...yes, we just got back from a neighbor's Florida football party and cookout. I'll be on and off the board for a few hours, probably.

any way to point me to janices arrest record. you can mail to [e-mail]

[Boohil]

hornback12 wrote:

<quoted text>any way to point me to janices arrest record. you can mail to [e-mail]

Ron, you can go to the Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search:

http://www.dc.state.fl.us/AppCommon/

Enter her last/first name and click on the "submit request" button. The result will be a clickable link to the Supervised Population (probation). Click on that link, and then click on her name. Voila.

There are also some public court records (you KNOW how Janice loves those public records!) related to the case, which are viewable/available here:

https://www.myfloridacounty.com/serv/MyFlorid...

Again, enter last/first, select Bradford County. The pertinent records are dated in 2008 (March and/or April, as I recall).

[pbfa]

Boohil wrote:

<quoted text>
Ron, you can go to the Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search:
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/AppCommon/
Enter her last/first name and click on the "submit request" button. The result will be a clickable link to the Supervised Population (probation). Click on that link, and then click on her name. Voila.
There are also some public court records (you KNOW how Janice loves those public records!) related to the case, which are viewable/available here:
https://www.myfloridacounty.com/serv/MyFlorid...
Again, enter last/first, select Bradford County. The pertinent records are dated in 2008 (March and/or April, as I recall).

Thanks, boo. My goodness, it's expensive to beat up cops, isn't it?

[hornback12]

Boohil wrote:

<quoted text>
Ron, you can go to the Florida Department of Corrections Offender Search:
http://www.dc.state.fl.us/AppCommon/
Enter her last/first name and click on the "submit request" button. The result will be a clickable link to the Supervised Population (probation). Click on that link, and then click on her name. Voila.
There are also some public court records (you KNOW how Janice loves those public records!) related to the case, which are viewable/available here:
https://www.myfloridacounty.com/serv/MyFlorid...
Again, enter last/first, select Bradford County. The pertinent records are dated in 2008 (March and/or April, as I recall).

thanks boo

[Boohil]

pbfa wrote:

<quoted text>
Thanks, boo. My goodness, it's expensive to beat up cops, isn't it?

Yep. Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer is pretty much frowned on here in Florida.

[Boohil]

hornback12 wrote:

<quoted text>thanks boo

You're welcome...anytime.

[hornback12]

Boohil wrote:

<quoted text>
Yep. Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer is pretty much frowned on here in Florida.

wasn't that two counts?

[Boohil]

hornback12 wrote:

<quoted text>wasn't that two counts?

Yes, according to the Department of Corrections Offende database. But at least it wasn't aggravated battery--that's serious jail/prison time, and Janice only got 30 days in the pokey, served on weekends, and the 3 years of probation (and the fines, and the apology letter, and the required anger management class).

[Amazed]

Boohil wrote:

<quoted text>
Yes, according to the Department of Corrections Offende database. But at least it wasn't aggravated battery--that's serious jail/prison time, and Janice only got 30 days in the pokey, served on weekends, and the 3 years of probation (and the fines, and the apology letter, and the required anger management class).

No psych eval for violent offenders in Florida?

[Boohil]

Amazed wrote:

<quoted text>
No psych eval for violent offenders in Florida?

Not a mandatory one...depends on the case circumstances. And if one was ordered in this case, that portion of the record would be sealed.

[Amazed]

Boohil wrote:

<quoted text>
Not a mandatory one...depends on the case circumstances. And if one was ordered in this case, that portion of the record would be sealed.

Undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues are an identified risk factor for recidivism.

If they mandate anger management courses for someone who has demonstrated instability and an inability to refrain from resorting to violence or that doesn't yield to authority you'd think in the interest of public safety they would also mandate a complete mental health evaluation.

[Boohil]

Amazed wrote:

<quoted text>
Undiagnosed and untreated mental health issues are an identified risk factor for recidivism.
If they mandate anger management courses for someone who has demonstrated instability and an inability to refrain from resorting to violence or that doesn't yield to authority you'd think in the interest of public safety they would also mandate a complete mental health evaluation.

I agree, and again, it's possible that such an evaluation was ordered in this case, but that information is not public record.

[Janice Sanford]

Nope. But I don't think it'd hurt for each of you to be evaluated.

[Walter In FL]

Kelly wrote:

Janice,
I guess you aren't going to answer the question. I have to be honest, for a woman to beat up on a cop is really over the line. In my wildest dreams, I cannot imagine. No excuse for it, really. I am shocked though. Never figured you to be a criminal.
Kel

Kelly

The Schindlers and the Anti-Choice have a strange following of supporters. I have no knowleged of any Pro-Choice supporters involved in violence with anyone. If they knowledge I’m sure they will provide it for us.

[Walter In FL]

Kelly wrote:

Janice,
I just read your police record. Why in heavens name did you beat up a cop? I am shocked, what gives? Seriously, what happened? I used to read your blog during the premeditated, state sponsored, man slaughter of Terri Schiavo and appreciated your passion.

How in the world did you end up beating on a COP?

http://www.topix.net/forum/state/fl/T0DG4TUF0...

Kelly wrote:

Janice,
I just read your police record. Why in heavens name did you beat up a cop? I am shocked, what gives? Seriously, what happened? I used to read your blog during the premeditated, state sponsored, man slaughter of Terri Schiavo and appreciated your passion.
How in the world did you end up beating on a COP?
http://www.topix.net/forum/state/fl/T0DG4TUF0...

Janice Sanford wrote:

Nope. But I don't think it'd hurt for each of you to be evaluated.

Who needs anger management courses or lleast you need to be evaluated?